CHICAGO  INTERNATIONAL  PIPE  SHOW   2008

The first thing about the Chicago Pipe Show of note is that it is NOT held in Chicago. It is held in St Charles which is about 40 miles from the LOOP, also known as downtown Chicago. St. Charles is also about 33 miles from O"Hara International Airport. There is only two ways to get there, a car or a small plane.
 Only the week before the Show I traded a  S. BANG pipe for one carved by Lee von Erck. I found Lee to be a very friendly man and his pipes are amoung the very best you will find anywhere. My almost new Von Erck pipe is a keeper. I will be happy to show pictures but it will not be listed for sale. Lee would be happy however to carve one for you!!

Here I am holding my one and only Teddy Knudsen Eagle Grade pipe. Good thing I brought it with me. Teddy told me he had made that pipes about 10 years ago. This picture was taken on Thursday, two days before the official start of the show. Teddy also said he was almost sold out of pipes.

Here is Lee Von Erck and Paulo Becker from Italy I entered two Charatan Pipes to be judged for "Best IN SHOW"

My AFTERHOURS  Selected won first place!  My Extra Large Distinction won second place. This took place at the National Charatan Pipe Club meeting on the Thursday night before the SHOW started on Saturday.
Here I am with Jim Cooke, Probably the Worlds best maker of Blasted Pipes. I told Jim I was a big fan of his but could not afford his pipes. He smiled and said, " I understand, I cant either" ;-) On Friday, Free tables were offered to those who lined up early to get a number. This Pre Show was from 9am to 3pm.

                        

  Bruce Weaver is a newer Carver but his Pipes show great skill. Many of the older Collectors told me he was one of the Carvers at the Show to watch. I purchased one of his fine pipes. It is the 6th one down in the first row. A real work of art.
 Erik Nielsen was sharing a table with Kai Nielsen and this young man sitting. I think I know who he is, but I have to look him up in my Big Pipe book to be sure. A fine Charatan Coronation offered for sale .
The fine people at this table offered probably the best selection of the Worlds greatest Carvers at the Show.
Teddy Knudsen and friend lookng at pipes of other Carvers Kai Nielsen and  Eric Nielsen with their pipes on Friday
My Friend Dennis C.( left) from Florida. He was a great help to me at the show and has been a good Pipe E-Mail friend for over a year. Here is Ulf from S.BANG having a good time at the smoking tent. This was the first year all smoking was banned at the Show except for this Tent. It was put up at a cost of $14000 right next to the Mega Center at the Hotel.
Ulf again of S.Bang and Ann Julie just leaving the table next to where I was sitting. I believe this is TODD JOHNSON
On the Friday Night before the Show we were all given a Free giant dinner.
There were many forums being offered . This one was a talk about the Pipes from Italy. Three of Italy's best carvers were there to answer questions Do you know these fine Carvers from Italy?
                   TOM ELTANG  coming into the smoking tent for  a break. Carvers often left their tables to come have a smoke. There was good security but I was surprised they would be gone for over half an hour at times, leaving thousands of dollars of high grade pipes .                                                                                     Bruce and Per from S.BANG.
To raise funds to keep the Show going each year a Silent Auction is held on Saturday, the first official day of the Show. I donated this fine Pipe carved by Charlie Sharp, who Carves under the name of "PIPESMD" Charlie could not be at the show, but hundreds of collectors got to see what a fine Pipe he makes. It brought a good price and had almost 20 bids!  I know of no other Carver that offers such high quality HandMade pipes at such reasonable prices. Charlie would be happy to make a fine pipe for you and you choose the design!
 
Here I am with Ann Julie. She had some of the most amazing pipes at the Show. Her pipes this year were all made with a theme for the OLYMPICS. Her work is simply OUTSTANDING!
              The Smoking Tent and the Mega Center located at the Pheasant Run Resort Hotel in St. Charles
 
 
 

 
RETURN TO PIPES     Write to Rarememories@aol.com